Description

H3017 Haiku by Basho - Not spilling the glistening dew ... by Master Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase

Not spilling the glistening dew,
the bush clover,
undulating ^[1]

shiratsuyu wo kobosanu hagi no uneri kana	白露を こぼさぬ萩の うねりかな
bashou	芭蕉

Asataro Miyamori suggests the translation:

The lespedeza flowers sway and sway,
But not enough to shake down their white dews. ^[2]

Miyamori goes on to write, "The hagi or lespedeza is an autumn herb with graceful pliant stems and little lovely flowers, either red or white. A beautiful verse quite worthy of the graceful flower." ^[2]

E. S. Stephenson suggests the even lengthier translation:

Ah! those feathery, willow-like banches of the hagi curving so softly -
How tenderly they cradle the dew-drops and do not let them fall! ^[3]

Stephenson explains, "This pombungling [sic] paraphrase can give but a poor idea of what Basho's seventeen syllables convey to a Japanese. But anyone who has seen the hagi in the freshness of the morning in some old Japanese garden, with the shining dew-drops nestling on those dainty branches, can feel the truth and beauty of Basho's word-picture - and appreciate the unerring artistry that gives you the essential character of the plant so simply and yet so graphically." ^[3]

Robert Aitken suggests the translation:

The bush clover flowers
don't let their white dew fall
despite their swaying. ^[4]

References:

^[1] Translation by Timothy L. Jackowski, Takase Studios, LLC.

^[2] Miyamori, Asataro. (1932). Anthology of Haiku Ancient and Modern. Maruzen. Tokyo. 209.

^[3] Anonymous. (2015). Theosophical Path: Illustrated Monthly ..., Volume 16. Arkose Press. United States. 164.

^[4] Aitken, Robert. (2011). The River of Heaven: The Haiku of Basho, Buson, Issa, and Shiki. Counterpoint.

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About The Art: This beautiful hand-brushed scroll by Master Takase is personally created at the time of your order and proudly bears her seal and signature. We exclusively import this high-quality scroll with light brown silk borders and fine Japanese paper from one of the finest scroll makers in Nara Japan. This is not a print but is hand-brushed to match the sample as closely as possible. This is a personal work of art that is designed to last generations.

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